Mike Graham: Florida-FSU showdown could have been bigger

Wonder what the buildup would be, and more importantly, where these two teams would be ranked, if it weren't for those crucial missteps they made back in October?

Florida, committing six turnovers in a heartbreaking 17-9 loss to Georgia on Oct. 27 and Florida State, letting a 16-0 halftime lead at North Carolina State evaporate in a mind-numbing 17-16 setback on Oct. 6, left both teams with 10-1 records.

Taking into account this past weekend's upsets of the nation's previous top two teams — Stanford edging Oregon 17-14 in OT, and Baylor blasting Kansas State 52-24 — the Gators and Seminoles could have been Nos. 1 and 2 in the rankings today if they were both undefeated.

Sure, Notre Dame is undefeated, too, but would you rank the Irish over the Gators or Seminoles if all three were 11-0?

Florida comes into Saturday's game (3:30 p.m., ABC) in Tallahassee ranked No. 6 in the AP poll, while FSU is No. 10.

It marks the first meeting between these schools when they were both in the AP top 10 since 2000.

From 1990 to 2000, the Gators and Seminoles played 13 times — two times in the Sugar Bowl (1994, 1996) — and in every game both were ranked among the AP's top 10, with Florida State winning 9-of-13 during that 11-year span.

In 1996, Florida was ranked No. 1 and Florida State was No. 2 when the teams met in regular-season finale in Tallahassee (FSU won 24-21) then again in the Sugar Bowl (No. 3 UF routing No. 1 FSU 52-20).

Last year, No. 22 Florida State used Florida turnovers (including four interceptions) for all of its 21 points, in a 21-7 victory against the unranked Gators. It was a defensive struggle that could very well play out again Saturday.

Florida gives up only 11.7 point per game this season, Florida State 13.1. Both defenses are tough against the run — FSU allowing just 70.6 yards per game, Florida 95.2 — but each team counts heavily on its running game for offense, FSU averaging 212.1 yards per game rushing, UF 189.5 yards.

Florida coach Will Muschamp on Monday said, "(Quarterback) Jeff Driskel will play in the game," after a right ankle injury vs. Louisiana Nov. 10. Muschamp, however, didn't say who would start, Driskel or Jacoby Brissett.

Muschamp also refused to speculate on what a victory against Florida State could mean, especially if Notre Dame were to lose at USC on Saturday. With Florida ranked No. 4 in the current BCS rankings, a Notre Dame loss would eliminate the Irish from the BCS title game and No. 2 Alabama plays No. 3 Georgia in the SEC championship game — with the loser also out of the championship picture.

What Muschamp did say is, "We didn't play very well in (the FSU) game last year, and we're certainly looking forward to the opportunity that we have in front of us Saturday."

And with a win Saturday, the Gators would have an even bigger opportunity Jan. 7 in the BCS title game.